Glen Eira Sports & Aquatic Centre: Opening

Written on the 23 May 2012

Two weeks ago the Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre, GESAC, opened its doors to the community for the first time. Considerable thought went into the design of the facility, taking into consideration the needs of the Glen Eira population.

I had the privilege of inspecting GESAC when it was still under construction and the finishing touches were still being applied. I can say that at the time I thought the centre was most impressive, and now that it is open I can see that it has in fact lived up to that expectation.

The new facility includes a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, a 50-metre outdoor swimming pool, a wellness pool for activities such as physiotherapy, a spa, saunas, a learn-to-swim pool and a kids beach entry play pool and water slides, along with a fully equipped gymnasium and indoor sports stadium.

The centre enables accessibility to programs for all ages and abilities. It has facilities that cater for occasional child care, a cafe and consulting suites offering a range of rehabilitation and wellness services, according to its website.

While the gymnasium, indoor sports centre and lap pools will help the community stay fit, active and healthy, the facility certainly also looks fun for the many children who undoubtedly will use it on a regular basis.

GESAC was made possible with funding contributions from both the federal and state governments, whereby the Victorian state government contributed $2.5 million of funding to the project -- and I acknowledge the former government's involvement in that.

This facility will greatly benefit my constituents in the Southern Metropolitan Region, especially those living close by within the districts of Bentleigh and Oakleigh. I would like to congratulate Glen Eira City Council in particular on the delivery of this project, which will surely be a valuable community asset for the residents of Glen Eira, and I look forward to the centre's official opening.